Is there a fee for consumer tariff refunds?
Quick answer
A small liquidity retention fee of 7.5% is applied to consumer refund distributions. This covers the costs of matching purchases to tariff-affected products, processing refund payments, and maintaining the consumer distribution platform. There are no upfront fees, and the fee is deducted automatically from your refund amount.
Detailed Answer
Consumer refund distribution involves matching individual purchases to tariff-affected products, which requires data processing and payment infrastructure. A small fee covers these costs.
The fee structure:
- 7.5% liquidity retention fee deducted from your refund amount before distribution.
- No upfront fees. You pay nothing to check eligibility or register for the program.
- No hidden costs. The 7.5% is the only deduction. There are no processing fees, sign-up fees, or per-transaction charges.
What the fee covers:
- Purchase matching. Cross-referencing your purchase records against tariff-affected product categories and participating retailers.
- Refund calculation. Determining the tariff passthrough amount embedded in each qualifying purchase.
- Payment processing. ACH, digital wallet, or other payment method used to deliver your refund.
- Platform maintenance. The consumer distribution platform, customer support, and regulatory compliance.
How it compares to alternatives:
- Class-action lawsuits: Attorney fees typically consume 25-33% of the settlement before distribution.
- Traditional refund claims: Often require professional services at higher rates.
- DIY: There is no direct mechanism for consumers to claim tariff refunds individually — the refund flows through the importer.
Example: If your qualifying purchases total $500 in tariff overpayment, the 7.5% liquidity retention fee is $37.50, and you receive $462.50.
Related Questions
Can consumers get tariff refunds?
Yes, through Tariffi's B2B2C consumer refund distribution program. When importers and retailers recover tariff overpayments, a portion of those savings can flow through to end consumers who purchased affected products. Check your eligibility at tariffi.io to see if any of your recent purchases qualify for a refund.
How is this different from a class action?
Tariffi's consumer refund distribution is a voluntary program, not litigation. Participating retailers and importers opt in to distribute refunds. There are no legal fees, no court proceedings, no settlement timelines, and no attorney contingency. You receive your refund directly through the platform — typically within days of claiming, not years.
How do I check if I'm owed a tariff refund?
Visit tariffi.io and follow the consumer eligibility check flow. You will need basic information about your purchases: retailer name, approximate purchase dates, and product categories. Tariffi cross-references your purchases against participating retailers and tariff-affected product categories to determine if you qualify for a consumer refund.
How much did tariffs cost me as a consumer?
IEEPA and Section 301 tariffs added 7.5% to 25% to the cost of affected imported goods, primarily from China. On a $100 purchase, that means $7.50 to $25 in embedded tariff costs passed through as higher retail prices. Your actual exposure depends on what you bought, when, and from which retailers.
Need help?
Upload your ES-003 to see how much you could recover, or talk to our team.